The Gazette

PAGE 2 A Gazette Publication Monday, January 26, 2009 www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

2 YOUR TRAVEL

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Fancy a magical break with picturesqueviews, relaxing walks and first-classfood and drink? Then take a look in your

own backyard!Great Britain boasts all of the above and more,

from rugged coastlines to pretty, rural towns andwildlife-rich isles.

Not only will you learn more about the heritage,scenery and history of the country, you’ll help theenvironment by cutting back on your carbon footprintand save money too!

Here are some of our favourite locationswhen you’re in need of an escape a little closerto home…

Best ofA holiday at a UK beauty spot can be just asgood as a trip abroad. ED REED exploresthe top locations on home soil

CORNWALLLocated at the tip of thesouth-western peninsula, Cornwall isbordered by the Atlantic Ocean, theEnglish Channel and the county ofDevon, over the River Tamar.It’s a popular holiday resort forvisitors from the UK and abroad.

The seaside resorts of Newquay,Falmouth and Polzeath are great for

family and short breaks withworld-class surfing, fishing, boatingand beaches.

However, if you’re after somethingmore low-key, Padstow, in the north,is a beautiful harbour town whereyou can relax and watch the worldgo by.

Potter around the shops or escapeeverything with a walk along thecoast. Park up at the nearby HarlynBay and go as far as your feet willtake you – the scenery issimply breathtaking.

The best time to visit is out ofseason when fewer tourists are

around – and you can also get agreat deal on accommodation.Prices at the Althea HouseB&B start from £42 per person pernight. Visit www.altheahouse.co.ukor call 01841 532579. AlternativelyWoodlands, a country house just a10-minute walk from the centre,offers three-night breaks for as littleas £84 per person. Visitwww.woodlands-padstow. co.ukor call 01841 532426 to book.

For more informationon the area, log on towww.visitcornwall.com orwww.thingstodoincornwall.co.uk

NORTH WALESRenowned for its coastal resorts,North Wales provides the perfectfamily getaway.

It comprises the island of Anglesey,the Llyn peninsula and the Snowdoniamountain range, together with thecatchments of the Rivers Conwy,Clwyd and Dee.

The Isle of Anglesey is surroundedby 125 miles of coastline and boasts awhole host of historical sites, while theNorth Wales Borderlands is dominatedby the spectacular Clwydian hills.

Snowdonia, set in more than 800miles of national park, is a magnet forclimbers and walkers. And the LlynPeninsula, which extends 30 milesinto the Irish Sea, provides some ofthe best sailing and surfing beaches inNorth Wales.

Tucked away in a quiet corner,perched on a harbour with stunningviews, is the sleepy town of Conwy.The highlight is the town’s castle, an imposingfortress dating back to the 13th century. It looksamazing lit up at night. For the best place to stay, trythe Quay Hotel. It’s perfect if you want total peace,

quiet and relaxation. And it’s just a 10-minute drivefrom the popular seaside resort Llandudno.

Visit www.nwt.co.uk for more information or visitthe hotel at www.quayhotel.com

BRITISHThe impressive Quay Hotel is ashort drive from Llandudno

Cornwall has somethingto offer everyone

A sunset view fromthe Quay Hotel,one of NorthWales’ mostrelaxing getaways

Best of

experience the UK’sbest attractions

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THE SHETLAND ISLESThe Shetlands are a group of more than 100islands spanning 100 miles. Altogether, theislands have 900 miles of coastline, 138beaches and 6,080 archaeological sites datingback to the Stone Age.

The population has barely increased overthe past 200 years and in the summer, peopleare outnumbered 10 to one by puffins.

Shetland offers the best wildlife-watching inScotland. There are more than a millionbreeding seabirds, the highest density ofotters in Europe and regular sightings ofkiller whales.

There are countless places to stay inLerwick, or other quieter islands such as Yell

These islands are accessible yet remote and are famed for theirwildlife, which includes deer, golden eagles, seals and puffins.The mountains of Lorn sweep down to the town of Oban – theunofficial capital of the West Highlands. It’s known as the

Gateway to the Isles because it’s the main port for ferriesdeparting to the Inner Hebrides.

A quick boat trip takes you to Craignure on the Isle of Mull.From there, it’s just a quick drive to the famously picturesque

Tobermory, with its brightly painted buildings lining a peacefulbay. Other attractions include Fingal’s Cave on Staffa,the Treshnish Isles and the island of Iona, the birthplace ofCeltic Christianity.

To find some stunning accommodation, log on towww.scotland-holiday-cottage.co.uk, www.visitscotland.comor www.roomfinderscotland.co.uk

THE SCILLY ISLESAccessible by boat, planeor helicopter, Scilly is anarchipelago of about 150islands and rock outcropslying 25 miles south-westof Cornwall.

There are five inhabitedislands: St Mary’s, Tresco,St Martin’s, St Agnes andBryher. All enjoy a humidand sunny climate, andbecause of this, the Scilliesare home to a large numberof exotic plants and flowersnot found on the mainland.Wildlife flourishes and thereare many important birdspecies that colonise thecoast. Puffins are aparticular attraction.

The entire archipelago is an Area of OutstandingNatural Beauty and more than half the land isdesignated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Otherattractions include the tallest lighthouse in Britainand the most south-westerly pub in Britain, whichcan be found on St Agnes.

If you take a boat to one of the many uninhabited

islands, you’re likely to have a pristine white beachall to yourself – apart from the odd nosey seal! Andfor the more adventurous, there are many incrediblewreck and reef dives to enjoy. The crystal clear seasare home to rare corals and sea anemone.

For accommodation, log on towww.simplyscilly.co.uk, www.isles-of-scilly.co.uk or www.tresco.co.uk

MOUNTAINS OF MOURNEThe Mournes are tucked away in the south-eastcorner of Northern Ireland. They were part of anancient Gaelic kingdom and a number of Irish kingsare reputedly buried there. Rich with history, ancientsettlements and castles dot the romantic region.

With its rugged mountains, beautiful forests and

sandy beaches, the entire area has been classed anArea of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This mini LakeDistrict stays much quieter than its counterpart onthe mainland. The granite mountains, forest parks,bays, beaches and valleys form the perfect locationfor hill-walking, cycling, climbing, golf, horse-riding orfishing. The mountains are a hiker’s paradise; oldmountain tracks take you past lakes, rivers and

woods, and up to thepeaks. They also offerworld-class rock-climbing.

Tullymore Forest Parkoffers nature trails andwalks along the RiverShimna for thoselooking for a quieter,relaxed pace.

Newcastle, with itsgolden sands, restaurantsand pubs, is probably thebest place to be based.As well as being a livelycoastal town, it’s alsohome to the famousRoyal County DownGolf Club.

For a place to stay inNewcastle, log on towww.touristnetuk.com

WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND AND THE WESTERN ISLES

and Unst. And with 19 hours of daylight in thesummer, the long days mean there’s plenty foractive families to do. To find hotels and B&Bs,log on to www.visitshetland.com,www.roomfinder scotland.co.uk orwww.undiscoveredscotland. co.uk

Tobermory’s brightly paintedbuildings line the tranquil bay

Beautiful wildlife onthe island of Tresco

The Mountains of Mourne region has beenclassed an Area of Outstanding Beauty

The peaceful island of Yell

PAGE 3A Gazette Publication Monday, January 26, 2009www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk

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Home fromHOMELooking to travel on the cheap?SARAH MARSHALL considers aholiday in someone else’s house

When a broken-hearted Cameron Diazdecides, on a whim, to swap houses with astranger across the Atlantic in romantic

comedy The Holiday, she meets and falls in lovewith the sexy Jude Law.

Joining a home exchange agency doesn’t necessarilyguarantee a love match, but this seemingly offbeatservice is coupling up an increasing number of thriftyadventurers with their holiday of a lifetime.

The concept is very simple: families, couples or anyonewith an available property can sign up to an agency,where they register their details and desired destinations.Other members can then make contact, potentiallyreaching a mutual agreement to swap houses and evencars – all for nothing.

It sounds novel, but the idea is nothing new. In theearly ’50s a young New York teacher with time on hishands and very little money, drew up a list of fellowteachers who had expressed an interest in swappinghomes over the school holidays.

The concept caught on with formal networks emergingall over the world, aided by the advance of the internet.

“If you’re prepared to put the effort in, you can haveholidays it would never be possible to afford,” saysCaroline Connolly, of HomeLink, the biggest andbest-known home-swapping agency.

Jez and Melanie Wadd, from Lancashire, veteranhouse-swappers with 11 trips under their belts, describethe concept as “an absolute godsend”.

The Wadd’s last family holiday, a two-week tripto Sardinia in peak season, staying in aone-bedroom seaside studio, cost just £700 for allfour – the price of the Ryanair flights. “We probably

saved around £1,200,” says Jez.Enjoying the view from someoneelse’s palatial beachfront apartmentsounds unbelievable. But there is, ofcourse, a flipside. The thought of a stranger in your homedoes feel slightly disconcerting.

The system is 100 per cent trust-based, but ifusers enter into a lengthy dialogue, they should findthemselves paired up with “like-minded anddecent” people.

“If people break something, they will replace it or haveit fixed,” says Caroline.

“We had one lady who broke a plate and bought herhost a whole new dinner service!”

Although it’s important to sell your property by listing allthe best amenities, honesty is key, says Caroline. Andwhat is a turn off for some holidaymakers might beadvantageous to others.

A house backing onto the M25 might not be suitablefor a retired couple seeking a quiet break, but itcould be ideal for a family after easy access to the southof England.

To ensure a smooth introduction, Caroline encouragesfirst-time swappers to exchange with someonemore experienced.

Those who embrace the concept of house-swappingrarely look back and describe the experienceas a breath of fresh air in the overcrowdedpackage-holiday market.

The service has opened doors to financially boundfamilies, for whom the prospect of a holiday in 2009 wentno further than a tent pitched in the garden. On top ofthat, it’s an opportunity to make friends for life.

Photos courtesy of Homelink

Cash-strapped families can still enjoyholidays through home-swapping

SWAP SHOPFind a home from homeon the following sites…● Homelink:The world’s largesthome-swap agency withmore than 13,000

properties on the books.Joining fee £115.www.homelink.org.uk● Home Base Holidays:This agency has 1,700to choose from andcosts £29.95 a year.www.homebase-hols.com

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Camping has to be one of the true joysof life, whatever your age. Think youcan’t live without your iPod, TV on

demand or double-glazing? Think again.Whether you set up your temporary home ata slick site run by the Camping andCaravanning Club or a tiny farm plot on aremote Scottish peninsula, every outdoorexperience is unique.

Imagine soaking up views to die for – all for afew pounds a night and forsaking one or twomodern luxuries. And what’s more, the spiritualand physical benefits of holidaying outdoors caneasily compare to any expensive spa break.

So rather than jetting off on a pricey packageholiday this summer, you could be paying, atmost, £20 for a family-of-four tent pitch.

Whether you own a caravan, a swish motorhome or just a basic canvas dome, there aresites out there to suit everybody including thequirky and unexpected. You could even set upcamp in a large tipi or traditional gypsy caravan.

Of course, the weather plays a crucial part in acamping holiday. Head north for the quality siteslining Scotland’s West coast, or for real outdoortypes, try the Lake District for hiking up the fellsand mountains.

And for the daring, you could always ditch thecampsite all together! Wild camping has beenlegal in Scotland since the passing of the 2003Land Reform (Scotland) Act. So the true wildmen and women of Britain can pitch upanywhere – within reason. Happy camping!

BEST FOR…FAMILIESYurts and a pizza oven await lucky visitors toWoodland Tipis in Herefordshire.

This pretty, ancient enclave has views acrossthe Malvern Hills. Each tent and tipi comescomplete with a wood burning stove and kettle.There are play areas for children and there’s aGo Ape site nearby, too.

Woodland Tipis and Yurt Holidays, WoodlandsFarm, Little Dewchurch, Herefordshire. Visitwww.woodlandtipis.co.uk or call 01432 840488.

COUPLESRothiemurchus is for the tree-hugger in all ofus. Nestling in beautiful Caledonian woodland,the award-winning site lies near the Cairngormsand Aviemore.

It’s an ideal base for walkers wanting toexplore the huge Cairngorms national park.

Rothiemurchus Camp and Caravan Park,Rothiemurchus Estate, Aviemore,Invernessshire. Go to www.rothiemurchus.netor call 01479 812800.

FIRST-TIMERSKnight Stainforth boasts a large campsite idealfor exploring the Yorkshire Dales.

As welcoming to tents as it is to caravans, youcan explore some of prettiest limestone

countryside in the UK. There are hill hikes orbeautiful riverside walks. On site, there’s achildren’s playground, free hot showers,washing-up room, games room, wi-fi and ashop selling walking maps and alcohol.

Knight Stainforth, Little Stainforth, Settle,North Yorkshire. Visit www.knightstainforth.fsnet.co.uk or call 01729 822200.

BEACHESWhy not pay a visit to Treen Farm Campsite inCornwall?

Porthcurno is the largest and most popularbeach, but head round the bay and you’ll havestretches of perfect white sand all to yourself.

Other attractions include the PorthcurnoTelegraph Museum and the Minack Theatre.

Treen Farm Campsite, Treen, St Levan,Penzance, Cornwall. Visitwww.treenfarmcampsite.co.uk orcall 01736 810273.

VIEWSNorthern Lights Campsite is set amid classichighland scenery in Badcaul, Scotland. Whales,porpoises, stags and birds of prey have beenspotted at this incredible location.

This tiny site is surrounded by some of themost thrillingly beautiful landscape Scotlandhas to offer.

Northern Lights, Croft 9, Badcaul, Dundonnell,Rossshire. Call 01697 371379.

HAPPY CAMPERS

Imagine pitching up a tent in an area of outstanding beauty for a holidayfilled with relaxation and stargazing. ED REED goes back to basics…

Carry on CAMPINGCarry on CAMPING

■ Cool CampingEngland and CoolCamping Scotland, byPunk Publishing, cost£14.95 each.

FREE WHEELINGIf you love home comforts, why not invest in a motorhome? The Komba, by Bilbo, the Volkswagen-based

motor home converters,comes complete withkitchen, roof bed, fridge,water tank, lockers,curtains, heater andoptional toilet. Prices startfrom £29,950. Contact01342 892499, emailsales@bilbos.com or logon to www.bilbos.com formore information.

BED HEADYou never have to bewithout a comfy bed with

a ReadyBed in your boot.A self-inflating, double camper costs£96.99. All ReadyBeds come with athree-year guarantee. Visitwww.readybed.com for more information.

TOP THAT!This Joules Fleece

Lined Top, £39, ispre-washedto besoft andwearable fromday one. It’sdesignedto keepyou cool duringuphillwalks and warmwhen spendingthe evening

at your tent. Availablein sizes 8-20. Visitwww.joulesclothing.comor call 0845 606 6871.

COOKOFFBlacksCollapsibleCookerySet, £19.99,containstwocopper-bottomed saucepans, a frying panand three cups. Nesting together for easypacking and storage, it has Stay-Coolfoldaway handles. Go to www.blacks.co.ukor call 0800 665410.

IN THE BAGBlacks TwoSeason SleepingBag, £36.99, islightweight,comfortable andideal for spring orsummer. Go towww.blacks.co.ukor call 0800 665410.

FEET FIRSTYour kids will love thesefunky Brantano WellingtonBoots, £10. And what’smore, there will be fewerwet socks to wash! Go towww.brantano.co.uk orcall 0870 990 1600.

SEE THE LIGHTThis Wind-up Torch,£29.95, from Baylis, hasan integrated mobilephone charger. Keep itin the sun for freesolar power orcharge it from yourlaptop. Visitwww.expertverdict.com or call0871 855 1617.

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PAGE 8 A Gazette Publication Monday, January 26, 2009 www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk